Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Got this guitar on a Gold Box deal that I just couldn't pass up. Received it a few days ago, shipping and packaging were good, all from the factory. The guitar itself is BEAUTIFUL! I really like the satin finish on this compared to the high gloss of the regular Hellraiser C-1, but that is just personal preference. The guitar is great, fit finish are perfect, and it feels awesome in your hands. BUT, that is when I noticed that my volume knobs would not push/pull. I thought that they may just be stuck, but they should move pretty easily. I searched the internet and could not find one bit of information on this particular model ('Hellraiser Custom' in Vampyre Red exclusive to Amazon). The closest you will find is for the Hellraiser C-1, and it is listed as having push/pull knobs. I emailed Schecter and a couple days later I received a response which stated that the description on Amazon is incorrect and that this model from Amazon does NOT have the push/pull knobs to change the pick ups from double to single. Amazon actually took the description from the C-1 and used it for this guitar (as is obvious regading the abalone inlay which is absent on this guitar as well).
Now, I still gave this guitar a 5 star rating because the guitar itself is great and it is not Schecter's fault that Amazon did not describe the guitar accurately. That being said, I don't think that Amazon should have this guitar priced the same as the C-1 when it lacks some of the features of that guitar; but that is their perogitive since it is exclusive to them (and where do they get that ridiculous MSRP from???). Also, the standard Hellraiser C-1 has the abalone inlay around the edge of the body and head which this model does not. Personally, I think it looks better without it (at least in the satin finish; I do think that the abalone looks awesome on the high gloss finish of the C-1), but that should also lower the price of this guitar. Also, the pick ups on the C-1 are updated versions of the pick ups on this guitar. So, paying what I did on a Gold Box deal, I am not that upset about the mistaken features or missing abalone (I knew that the abalone would not be there because of the photos even though the description states it), but it would have been nice to know. If I had paid full price for this guitar (which is the same as the standard C-1 on Amazon), I would have been very upset and the guitar would have gone back to Amazon. If you are debating between this and the C-1, know that at regular price, you are getting more guitar on the C-1 than on this model for the same amount of money.
As this model is exclusive to Amazon, there was no way to compare this to the Schecter models in the local guitar store (standard Hellraiser C-1), so that was a bummer. As far as comparison goes, this guitar color is lighter than that of the cherry color of the C-1 and of course has the satin finish. As I stated, I really prefer the look of the satin finish, but the C-1 is also a gorgeous guitar! If you can, visit your local guitar shop and pick up the C-1. It will give you a feel for this guitar. Only difference will be the pick ups, no push/pull knob control, and finish. It sucks to be the guinea pig here as there were no reviews prior to my purchasing this, but hopefully what I have shared with you will help you find the guitar you are looking for!
***UPDATE 1/28/11***
Amazon has now fixed the description on this guitar to more accurately reflect what it has. They also lowered the price from $750 to $395! That is a steal for this guitar!
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Schecter Hellraiser Custom Electric Guitar - Vampyre Red Satin
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